STARTS TOMORROW IN ST. LOUIS Padres vs. Cardinals

HOW THEY ARRIVED The Padres should be embarrassed about taking the NL West with the worst record of any division winner since the ’73 Mets won the East with 83 victories. The Cardinals are delighted that the wild-card spot comes from their division. It allows them, with the best record in the league, to play the worst division winner, the Padres. STRENGTHS CARDINALS: The Cards’ strength lies in their starting rotation, where former Jay Chris Carpenter leads the way with Cy Young-like numbers. He is joined by Mark Mulder at the top of the rotation, two pitchers who were not in St. Louis last year. They have MVP candidate Albert Pujols to lean on. PADRES: The Padres have finally learned to play winning baseball at home in spacious Petco Park, making it an advantage against slugging visiting teams. The Padre bullpen has been an asset, ranking top three in both wins and in relievers’ ERA, led by closer Trevor Hoffman. WEAKNESSES CARDINALS: The Cards have to keep from looking past the Padres and they must forget the failure in the 2004 World Series of their big hitters. They rank mid-pack in NL power numbers. Jason Isringhausen is no longer a “lights-out” closer. PADRES: The Padres rank 13th in team homers and have a run differential of 44. The offence has no personality and no real leader. Only starters Jake Peavy and Adam Eaton have as many as 10 wins. They might not believe they deserve to be there. WHO SHOULD WIN The Cardinals might not win it all, but they most certainly will win this series. Cards manager Tony La Russa might get his chance to lose his fourth World Series against one title, in ’89.